China says its plan to bring modern socialism to rural areas ‘can’t afford to fail’, as external pressures mount

Annual ‘No 1 central document’ spells out critical importance of developing and supporting China’s poorest regions and their hundreds of millions of residents

Strongly worded document is latest show of strength by Beijing to bolster self-sufficiency out of concerns of being strangled by other countries in key areas

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Beijing has laid out its vision of turning China into an agricultural superpower. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 9:00pm, 14 Feb 2023

China has pledged its “full effort” to ensure agricultural supplies, create rural jobs and deepen import diversification, amid a heightened sense of urgency to beef up self-sufficiency and push for common prosperity.

The strong tone reflects the top leadership’s worries over geopolitical uncertainties, such as the Ukraine war and rows with the United States, and points to where Beijing’s priorities lie in terms of ensuring domestic supplies and development.

“The most arduous task during China’s endeavours to build a modern socialist country lies in the rural areas,” according to the government’s “No 1 central document” released by the official Xinhua News Agency on Monday. It is the first policy statement released by central authorities every year.

Rural work has been at the heart of the central government’s annual work documents for the past 20 years. The latest one, however, sheds greater light on the fast-changing world in which China could be strangled by other countries in key areas.

“Uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing,” the document says. “It is vital to maintain the fundamentals of agriculture, rural areas and farmers. We can’t afford to fail.”

Grain security and the prevention of a large-scale return to poverty are two bottom lines Beijing has drawn in terms of rural work, and these goals will test the capabilities of the new government to manage risks and external headwinds.